More involved in the while process now, Isberg developed an appreciation for the time it takes to record. Not that he felt he had t take a lot of time, but realizing that it's not like that first record, the one where you and a couple buddies hit the studio floor and push a button. TADA!! CD!! Anyone that hasn't recorded before, is now afforded greater opportunities than ever before to do so, whether in the studio or their own home. As Isberg says, artists now are more involved in what they do. They are indeed learning rather than leaving it all to the guys in the booth. He is very thankful for the friendships and mentor that guided him along the way and feels that artists owe it to themselves to learn what's happening. It is your time and your money, practice, play and arrange before you get to the studio.
The latest CD is due out February 22nd, with the release party sponsored by the Uptown Folk Club, it seems fitting that the event is being held at the Norwood branch of the Royal Canadian Legion. This latest work of Isberg's art has a little bit of everything, something for everyone. The disc, entitled Running On The Edge, has eleven tunes including the two advance releases, Yesterday and Jerusalem Road. Two tunes of note to me, that we discussed at more length are Traveler and a second that was such a cool idea, the name never came up. Isberg's father-in-law was a renowned cellist from the Ukraine. He has since past and Tim has found away to include his music on the new project. He has recording that was done with the Syrian National Symphony Orchestra and has incorporated it into his music. The song fits into the symphony, so at the beginning he now has his father-in-law playing a long, cello solo at the front and back of the new music. In the middle Isberg takes a turn at classical guitar. The other title we discussed, Traveler, is a historical piece. That means that here was research that most artists don't have to do, to make sure that what he was writing, was accurate as far as it was known to be years earlier. Traveller was Robert E. Lee's horse. The story is told from the point of view of Traveller. If you don't know Robert E Lee, he led he Confederate Army during the American Civil War. The book from which the story starts is Traveller, written by Richard Adams (Watership Down). The rest of the titles on the project range from some bluegrass to some rock. As we said, something for everyone.
Now the "more on that later." I said that there was more that Tim Isberg had to tell. And believe me when I say that you want to get tickets to this show, wherever it plays, make that plan. This April marks twenty five years since the genocide in Rwanda. If you don't know Rwanda or find yourself not remembering what went on, the genocide was a one hundred day period during the Rwandan Civil War where up to one million people, Tutsi's, were killed. The new show by Isberg is Rwanda: 25 Years Later. Isberg served a year as an unarmed military observing. UNARMED military observer, just thought that point should be made. This is a tour that would change his life forever. Isberg is quick to point out that the show is not all dark. There are photographs, story's and music, as well as Tim's very personal account of his time in Rwanda and the songs that it inspired. The debut of this show is April 18 at Festival Place in Sherwood Park. I already have my tickets and urge you to see this show.
I said I was looking for a clever title to this piece. The title is built into the talk I had with Tim. It's not clever, but it's true and accurate.
Singer... Songwriter... Soldier... Every Day Hero...